(Summary
of an article by Elmar Ojaste in Eesti Filatelist #24-25, 1979)

For
the competition of designs for a new stamp issue, arranged by the
Estonian Postal Administration in 1921, an entry of six designs with
a code-name "Eesti Post", showing various occupations and farming
activities was received. After consideration by the jury, the design
showing a blacksmith was awarded the first prize. The mentioned code-name
belonged to the Finnish artist J. T. Björnström. He worked
at this time for Printing Works Ltd in Helsinki. Earlier he had met
there, in connection of printing and design of Estonian paper currency,
an Estonian artist Theodor Ussisoo. The latter had suggested him to
participate in the mentioned competition. From the proposed entries
- blacksmith and weaver became the motifs for the final long-running
Estonian definitive stamps issue (1922 - 1928).

Björnström
was born May 21, 1890, in Jorois, district Mikkeli in Finland. His
parents soon moved to Viipuri, where his father worked as a blacksmith
in the local railway depot. Young Johan started his artistic studies
in Viipurięs school of Drawing "Friend of Art". He won scholarship
and studied 1913 - 1914 in the Munich Academy of Art in Germany and
later in "The Athenaeum" - Academy of Art in Helsinki. In 1927 Björnström
became advertising manager for the Finnish Co-op Consumers Association
and worked with them until his retirement in 1957. He died in Helsinki
on June 10, 1959.

Björnström was known and recognized mainly as graphic and
applied artist, but he also had a reputation as a painter. He exhibited
in Viipuri 1909 and in Helsinki 1916. His most preferred motifs of
landscapes were from Koli and Pielisjärvi of Hämeemas district.